Thanksgiving 2013

Happy Thanskgiving!  

Our holiday looked very different this year than years past but it was still a good one and one that we will always remember.  Regardless of where we are located, we have so much to be thankful for!  Absence of family definitely makes you appreciate things so much more and we are so grateful for our family and friends among many other things!

Lucy made this in her class and we were so proud of it...beautiful!

We started out the morning slow and then went to watch the Macy's parade with some friends...it's tradition!  And we even got a surprise Krispy Kreme treat from our friend Kelly!

Then we had lunch with our friends with the traditional Thanksgiving feast!  It was great food although it wasn't Grandmothers!  We are so very thankful for the people who served us willingly on Thanksgiving day!

 It is tradition here at the farm for the residents to decorate the Christmas tree so we were thrilled to be a part of that since we won't have our own this year!

Especially thankful for these three this Thanksgiving...

 And this special guy too!

We spent the rest of the day with friends, meeting in small group and praising the Father for all He has done for us, and even ended the evening playing Dodge Ball with friends!  Who knew it could be fun ha?!

This is a great reminder this Thanksgiving....

Hiding the scriptures in our hearts!

Meet my nephew!!!

 A month ago today, this sweet little bundle of joy entered this world, my nephew 

Samuel!

20.5 inches 7 lbs. 11 oz. @ 3:05 p.m.

Proud daddy!

Proud Pop!

Since we couldn't be there the day he was born, we sent this pic (and our love) over...

I absolutely can't wait to cuddle and spoil him rotten in a few weeks!

Today he is one month old...looks just like his daddy!!!!

What a handsome little guy!

Welcome to the world sweet guy!  We love you!

Tea, tattoos and takeoffs!

It's been cold here in our neck of the woods and today it's topping off at a whopping 35 degrees.  Baby it's cold outside!  Therefore we are spending the day inside and it gives me time to catch up on our life with you guys!  We have been busy around here and learning a lot.  The Lord has been so good to us here and we are very grateful for the friends we have made, the opportunities and the lessons we have learned!

My cute little owl...

We have had a few very special ladies' teas....several that the girls have gotten to enjoy with me!

Chai, anyone?!

We have gotten to enjoy several cultural meals lately...

Where is Lu?

The kids' creations from all around the world!

The kids got henna tattoos last week that they were very proud of.  Karis' story was the story from the Bible about the loaves and fish!  If you look closely, you can see the fish....

I even got to enjoy a date night last weekend with this cutie (who refused to look at the camera ha!).  Thankful for friends who volunteered to keep our kids for FREE!  I'll take it!

Lucy and her class got a tour of the campus kitchen and they came home with all kinds of goodies (hat, apron, food and gloves).

My pink lady...

Brayden got a letter from his best friends this week and he was so excited!  Hey Ethan and Eli we miss you!

The kids had mock airport day this week and it was so real for them complete with passports, tickets, airplane ride etc.  

Tootsie Roll Pop anyone?!

We sure enjoy our family dates just to spend time together.  Friday we went to Chuy's and then to get ice cream at Sweet Frogs!

The kids found a hill that they have loved playing on.  They were literally rolling down it for fun yesterday (until they had grass in all their extremities ha!)...

I have been working on a quilt for a few weeks and finally finished my 1st quilt!  I probably spent about 8 hours on it and alot of TLC!

We have had some beautiful sunsets here!

We have enjoyed lots of game nights with friends.  Zingo is a new favorite for the kids!

Looking forward to a great Thanksgiving week and a day trip to Washington, DC!  We are missing our family this Thanksgiving week!  Love you all!